Fort Desoto Island Park Trail

Florida

15 Reviews

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Fort Desoto Island Park Trail Facts

States: Florida
Counties: Pinellas
Length: 6.6 miles
Trail end points: Pinellas Bayway S (St. Petersburg) and Fort Desoto Park (Tierra Verde)
Trail surfaces: Asphalt, Concrete
Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT
ID: 8316564

Fort Desoto Island Park Trail Description

 Overview

The Fort Desoto Island Park Trail is a paved path running the entirety of the offshore key for 6.6 miles.

About the Route

Lying southwest of St. Petersburg, visitors to the Fort Desoto Island Park Trail, visitors to the island will notice remnants of the former military fort on the island and have access to two piers, beaches, picnic areas, camping areas, bicycling trails, a kayak trail, and a ferry to Egmont Key State Park. Bike rentals are available on site and fishing is permitted. Visitors to the island will also enjoy the Tampa Bay overlooks all along the trail.

The trail is also known as a gateway site for the Great Florida Birding Trail, a collection of more than 500 locations in the U.S. state of Florida where the state's bird habitats are protected.

 

Parking and Trail Access

The Fort Desoto Island Park Trail runs throughout Fort Desoto Park.

Parking is available at:

  • North Beach at Fort Desoto Park
  • Fort De Soto Quartermasters Museum
  • 3500 Pinellas Bayway S (St. Petersburg)

Some of these parking options do not have official addresses so please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.

Fort Desoto Island Park Trail Reviews

Paved bike trail

Excellent trail to bike ride, exercise and see nature at the same time. We had a wonderful day!! Taking care of our health, body and mind. I love it!!

Comfortable and Easy

Very much enjoyed riding this trail in Fort Desoto Park. Things to see along the way. Beautiful cooler day in early October.

Enjoyed Trail Around the Park

About 13 miles if you start at 1 end and go to the other. Nice paths. A couple of places to stop for water. Costs $5 to park which you pay by an app. Also paths go north out of the park for a longer ride with great views of the Gulf and the water in the area.

Great biking trail

We bought new electric bikes while vacationing in Palmetto, FL. It was a very nice long trail to try them out. Can’t wait to go back.

Accordion

great run!

I love this trail! Just be sure to bring sunscreen. Not much in the way of shade but it’s a great run.

Great trail

I have been going to this trail for years. A while back, it was free to enter the park other than a small toll to get there ($0.35). I started parking at the baseball facility a couple of miles before the park entrance and rode my bike in for free. The path into the park is as good as the path in the park and adds some mileage to the ride.

Beach and a Fort

Title says it all. Note it gets very hot out there. Not much cover on trail.

A beautiful course and opportunity to learn some history while enjoying the great sights along the Gulf and intercoastal waters.

A beautiful course and opportunity to learn some history while enjoying the great sights along the Gulf and intercoastal waters.

biking

Went on a great bike ride today she enjoyed herself and soda die

A roll in the park

This was a nice Saturday afternoon ride. We started in front of the park headquarters and ended up riding both directions and a little the second time around to get 14 miles. It was easy going for casual riders, but the walkers and 4-wheeled pedal cars would make it frustrating for any speedsters. We appreciated the convenient restrooms. Although we did not visit them, an historic fort, piers, and beaches were all a stone’s throw from the trail.

love

love this trail for many reasons

Beautiful trail

This is a great park with a well-maintained trail. Not on the road which I appreciate. Beach is just steps away throughout the trail. Beautiful. Note: $5 parking fee, but hundred of parking spots all over the park.

Nice Sunny Ride

If you want to ride on the Gulf to a secluded beach this is the park. All paved but a little short distance wise. A beautiful scenic trail and not too many people if you go off season. $5 to get in the park but they do a good job on the trail

Bike thru the park

Have done 3 times this Feb. Vacationing on Pinellas Bayway S, so was able to just ride down to & thru the park. Makes for a nice 15 mi ride.

Bike Along the Beach

Nearly 10 miles of trails on Fort Desoto Island. The main trail is 7miles along the beach, and then there is a 3mi trail on the causeway. The trail is wide and well maintained. Lots of parking, facilities and beach access. Only issue is that there is very little shade on the trail, so it may not be comfortable on a hot day.

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